Peptides for treatment and diagnosis of bone diseases

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to isolated polypeptides and antibodies suitable for producing therapeutic preparations, methods, and kits relating to bone deposition. One objective of the present invention is to provide compositions that improve bone deposition. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide methods and compositions to be utilized in diagnosing bone dysregulation. The therapeutic compositions and methods of the present invention are related to the regulation of Wise, Sost, and closely related sequences. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides include Wise and Sost as well as a family of molecules that express a cysteine knot polypeptide.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/710,803, filed Aug. 23, 2005, entitled: PEPTIDES FOR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF BONE DISEASES.

This application is also a continuation-in-part application of commonly owned non-provisional application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/464,368, filed Jun. 16, 2003, entitled: WISE/SOST NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCES.

This application also claims priority to the international application PCT/US2003/019260, filed Jun. 16, 2003, entitled: WISE/SOST NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCES.

This application also claims priority to the provisional application U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/388,970, filed Jun. 14, 2002, also entitled: WISE/SOST NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCES.

In addition to international application PCT/US2003/019260, U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/710,803, 10/464,368, and 60/388,970 are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is often referred to as the “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. It affects 55% of Americans over the age of 50, and incurs a medical cost of $47 million a day. Osteoporosis is caused by a disruption in the fine equilibrium between bone resorption and bone deposition. Where osteoblasts control bone deposition and osteoclasts control its resorption. Our poor understanding on the molecular control of bone deposition has lead to many pharmaceutical drugs targeting bone resorption only, i.e. Oestrogen Therapy & Bisphosphonates. Bone deposition was thought to be regulated mainly by the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) pathway. However, recent data has lead to the discovery of another “bone deposition thermostat,” called LRP5. This discovery began with positional cloning of the dominant High Bone Mass (HBM) trait found in Humans. In addition, a loss of LRP5 results in Osteoporosis Pseudoglioma (OPPG) Syndrome that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass. LRP5 is therefore an important player in the regulation of bone deposition. LRP5 has been shown to function as a membrane co-receptor for the WNT pathway. Only since the discovery of LRP5 has the WNT pathway been known to play a pivotal role in bone mass regulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is an isolated polypeptide suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation. This isolated polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid. The primary amino acid sequence is at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 171-211.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the peptide binds to LRP5 or LRP6 with equal or greater affinity than to wtSOST at 4oC in an isotonic solution.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the polypeptide is capable of forming a complex with a wtSOST protein. The complex is incapable of inhibiting a wnt signal of a cell presenting LRP5 or LRP 6 and having a competent wnt pathway.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157.

In a further aspect, at least 10 contiguous amino acids is an antigen for an antibody specifically recognizing wtSOST.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171-211.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is a method of treating bone diseases. The method involves administering a pharmaceutical including a polypeptide comprising at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence. The primary amino acid sequence is at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the pharmaceutical further includes a humanized antibody specifically recognizing an osteoblast-specific marker, and the polypeptide is coupled to the antibody.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the osteoblast-specific marker is selected from the group consisting of LRP5, LRP 6 and SOST.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the osteoblast-specific marker is selected from the group consisting of Collagen I, Runx2, ALP, osteoporitin, and Sox9.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the antibody is non-covalently coupled to the polypeptide.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated antibody specifically recognizing a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157 and 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the antibody is a humanized antibody.

One embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical preparation. The pharmaceutical preparation includes an isolated polypeptide comprising a primary amino acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The primary amino acid sequence of the pharmaceutical preparation is at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171-211.

An embodiment of the present invention is also an isolated nucleic acid comprising a coding sequence encoding a polypeptide suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171-211.

In a further aspect, the amino acid sequence includes control sequences operably linked to the coding sequence, whereby translation of coding sequence directed by the control sequences produces the polypeptide.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is a recombinant cell system capable of synthesizing polypeptide suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211. The cell system also includes a recombinant nucleic acid with a coding sequence encoding the polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide is suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the cell system is a cell lysate.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the cell system is a eukaryotic cell.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the eukaryotic cell system is a mammalian cell.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the recombinant nucleic acid further includes control sequences for modulating the expression of the polypeptide operably linked to the coding sequence.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is method of identifying pharmaceutically-active compounds suitable for treatment of bone diseases. The method includes contacting a cell capable of producing a wnt or bmp signal with a compound of interest and a polypeptide. Specifically, the polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211. The method further includes determining if the compound blocks the wnt or bmp signal of the cell, wherein a determination that the writ or bmp signal is blocked indicates that the compound of interest may be suitable for treatment of bone diseases.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is a method of identifying pharmaceutically-active compounds suitable for treatment of bone diseases. The method includes contacting a solution comprising LRP5 or LRP6 with a compound of interest and a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171-211. The method further includes determining if the compound of interest blocks interaction of LRP5 or LRP6 with the polypeptide.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of identifying pharmaceutically-active compounds suitable for treatment of bone diseases. The method includes contacting a transgenic animal with a compound of interest. The method further includes the transgenic animal displaying a bone disease phenotype resulting from a deleterous mutation of an endogenous SOST gene and the transgenic animal having a nucleic acid comprising a coding sequence encoding an expressed polypeptide. The expressed polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211. The method also includes determining if the bone disease regresses to at least 50% of a normal phenotype over a period of two years or less. The determination that the bone disease has regressed to at least 10% of a normal phenotype indicates that the compound of interest may be suitable for treatment of bone malformation diseases.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for identifying a SOST protein in a biological sample. The method includes contacting the biological sample with an antibody specifically recognizing a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 171-211. The method further includes detecting the presence or absence of the antibody complexed with the SOST protein.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical preparation for modulating bone formation. The preparation includes an antibody specifically recognizing a polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211. Furthermore, the administering the pharmaceutical preparation to a subject attenuates inhibition of a wnt or bmp response by at least 10%.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157 and 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the pharmaceutical preparation further includes an adjuvant preparation.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical preparation for modulating bone formation. The pharmaceutical preparation includes a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a set of at least 10 contiguous codons selected from, and in phase with the codon beginning with, the first nucleotide of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of 1-36, 88-95, 100, 102-105, 118-133, 158 and 169-170. The preparation also includes a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein administering the pharmaceutical preparation to a subject attenuates inhibition of a wnt or bmp response by at least 10%.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-4, 6-22, 24-30, 33-39, 88-93, 105, 118-120, 125-133, 158.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is from a human.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the pharmaceutical further includes an adjuvant preparation.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation. The nucleic acid includes a set of at least 10 contiguous codons selected from, and in phase with the codon beginning with, the first nucleotide of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of 1-36, 88-95, 100, 102-105, 118-133, 158 and 169-170.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of 1-4, 6-22, 24-30, 33-39, 88-93, 105, 118-120, 125-133, 158.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is from a human.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated antibody specifically recognizing a polypeptide. The polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a set of at least 10 contiguous codons selected from, and in phase with the codon beginning with, the first nucleotide of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of 1-36, 88-95, 100, 102-105, 118-133, 158 and 169-170.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of 1-4, 6-22, 24-30, 33-39, 88-93, 105, 118-120, 125-133, 158.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is from a human.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an isolated polypeptide suitable for producing a diagnostic or therapeutic preparation. The polypeptide is encoded by nucleic acid comprising a set of at least 10 contiguous codons selected from, and in phase with the codon beginning with, the first nucleotide of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of 1-36, 88-95, 100, 102-105, 118-133, 158 and 169-170.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of 1-4, 6-22, 24-30, 33-39, 88-93, 105, 118-120, 125-133, 158.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is from a human.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a kit for the treatment of a bone disease. The kit includes a pharmaceutical preparation and an applicator. The pharmaceutical preparation includes an isolated polypeptide and an excipient. The isolated polypeptide includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157 and 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the kit further includes instructions for use of the kit.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the kit further includes a container having instructions for use of the kit printed thereon, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is housed in the container.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a kit for the treatment of a bone disease. The kit includes a pharmaceutical preparation and an applicator. The pharmaceutical preparation includes an antibody specifically recognizing a polypeptide and an exipient. The polypeptide recognized by the antiobody includes at least any 10 contiguous amino acids from a primary amino acid sequence at least 75% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 37-87, 96-99, 101, 106-117, 134-157, 159-168 and 171-211.

In one aspect of the present embodiment, the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 134-157 and 159-168.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the kit further includes instructions for use of the kit.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the kit further includes a container having instructions for use of the kit printed thereon, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is housed in the container.

DEFINITIONS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The following references provide one of skill with a general definition of many of the terms used in this invention: Singleton et al. Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (2nd ed. 1994); The Cambridge Dictionary of Science and Technology (Walker ed., 1988); The Glossary of Genetics, 5th Ed., R. Rieger et al, (eds.), Springer Verlag (1991); and Hale & Marham, The Harper Collins Dictionary of Biology (1991). As used herein, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them unless specified otherwise.

As disclosed herein, proteins, particularly antibodies, muteins, nucleic acid aptamers, and peptide and nonpeptide small organic molecules that antagonize specific binding of SOST or WISE to their natural receptors may serve as “binding agents” and “SOST antagonists” of the present invention.

The phrase “specifically (or selectively) binds” or when referring to an antibody interaction, “specifically (or selectively) immunoreactive with,” refers to a binding reaction between two molecules that is at least two times the background and more typically more than 10 to 100 times background molecular associations under physiological conditions. When using one or more detectable binding agents that are proteins, specific binding is determinative of the presence of the protein, in a heterogeneous population of proteins and other biologics. Thus, under designated immunoassay conditions, the specified antibodies bind to a particular protein sequence, thereby identifying its presence.

Specific binding to an antibody under such conditions requires an antibody that is selected for its specificity for a particular protein. For example, antibodies raised against a particular protein, polymorphic variants, alleles, orthologs, and conservatively modified variants, or splice variants, or portions thereof; can be selected to obtain only those polyclonal antibodies that are specifically immunoreactive with SOST, WISE or an LRP protein and not with other proteins. This selection may be achieved by subtracting out antibodies that cross-react with other molecules. A variety of immunoassay formats may be used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a protein (see, e.g., Harlow & Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual (1988) for a description of immunoassay formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific immunoreactivity). Methods for determining whether two molecules specifically interact are disclosed herein, and methods of determining binding affinity and specificity are well known in the art (see, for example, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A laboratory manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988); Friefelder, “Physical Biochemistry: Applications to biochemistry and molecular biology” (W.H. Freeman and Co. 1976)).

Furthermore, an α5β1 integrin binding agent can interfere with the specific binding of a receptor and its ligand by various mechanism, including, for example, by binding to the ligand binding site, thereby interfering with ligand binding; by binding to a site other than the ligand binding site of the receptor, but sterically interfering with ligand binding to the receptor; by binding the receptor and causing a conformational or other change in the receptor, which interferes with binding of the ligand; or by other mechanisms. Similarly, the agent can bind to or otherwise interact with the ligand to interfere with its specifically interacting with the receptor. For purposes of the methods disclosed herein, an understanding of the mechanism by which the interference occurs is not required and no mechanism of action is proposed. An α5β1 binding agent, such as an anti-α5β1 antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is characterized by having specific binding activity (K_(a)) for an α5β1 integrin of at least about 10⁵ mol⁻¹, 10⁶ mol⁻¹ or greater, preferably 10⁷ mol⁻¹ or greater, more preferably 10⁸ mol⁻¹ or greater, and most preferably 10⁹ mol⁻¹ or greater. The binding affinity of an antibody can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example, by Scatchard analysis (Scatchard, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 51: 660-72, 1949).

The term “antibody” as used herein encompasses naturally occurring antibodies as well as non-naturally occurring antibodies, including, for example, single chain antibodies, chimeric, bifunctional and humanized antibodies, as well as antigen-binding fragments thereof, (e.g., Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fab, Fv and rIgG). See also, Pierce Catalog and Handbook, 1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.). See also, e.g., Kuby, J., Immunology, 3rd Ed., W.H. Freeman & Co., New York (1998). Such non-naturally occurring antibodies can be constructed using solid phase peptide synthesis, can be produced recombinantly or can be obtained, for example, by screening combinatorial libraries consisting of variable heavy chains and variable light chains as described by Huse et al., Science 246:1275-1281 (1989), which is incorporated herein by reference. These and other methods of making, for example, chimeric, humanized, CDR-grafted, single chain, and bifunctional antibodies are well known to those skilled in the art (Winter and Harris, Immunol. Today 14:243-246 (1993); Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989); Harlow and Lane, supra, 1988; Hilyard et al., Protein Engineering: A practical approach (IRL Press 1992); Borrabeck, Antibody Engineering, 2d ed. (Oxford University Press 1995); each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

The term “antibody” includes both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The term also includes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (e.g., humanized murine antibodies) and heteroconjugate antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies). The term also refers to recombinant single chain Fv fragments (scFv). The term antibody also includes bivalent or bispecific molecules, diabodies, triabodies, and tetrabodies. Bivalent and bispecific molecules are described in, e.g., Kostelny et al. (1992) J Immunol 148:1547, Pack and Pluckthun (1992) Biochemistry 31:1579, Hollinger et al., 1993, supra, Gruber et al. (1994) J Immunol:5368, Zhu et al. (1997) Protein Sci 6:781, Hu et al. (1996) Cancer Res. 56:3055, Adams et al. (1993) Cancer Res. 53:4026, and McCartney, et al. (1995) Protein Eng. 8:301.

Typically, an antibody has a heavy and light chain. Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variable region, (the regions are also known as “domains”). Light and heavy chain variable regions contain four “framework” regions interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called “complementarity-determining regions” or “CDRs”. The extent of the framework regions and CDRs have been defined. The sequences of the framework regions of different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within a species. The framework region of an antibody, that is the combined framework regions of the constituent light and heavy chains, serves to position and align the CDRs in three dimensional space.

The CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of an antigen. The CDRs of each chain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus, and are also typically identified by the chain in which the particular CDR is located. Thus, a V_(H) CDR3 is located in the variable domain of the heavy chain of the antibody in which it is found, whereas a V_(L) CDR1 is the CDR1 from the variable domain of the light chain of the antibody in which it is found.

References to “V_(H)” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain of an antibody, including the heavy chain of an Fv, scFv, or Fab. References to “V_(L)” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin light chain, including the light chain of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab.

Reference to “wtSOST” or similar notation is understood to refer to the wild type sequence encoding a given polypeptide. Thus, “wtSOST” refers to the wild type form of SOST.

The phrase “single chain Fv” or “scFv” refers to an antibody in which the variable domains of the heavy chain and of the light chain of a traditional two chain antibody have been joined to form one chain. Typically, a linker peptide is inserted between the two chains to allow for proper folding and creation of an active binding site.

A “chimeric antibody” is an immunoglobulin molecule in which (a) the constant region, or a portion thereof; is altered, replaced or exchanged so that the antigen binding site (variable region) is linked to a constant region of a different or altered class, effector function and/or species, or an entirely different molecule which confers new properties to the chimeric antibody, e.g., an enzyme, toxin, hormone, growth factor, drug, etc.; or (b) the variable region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged with a variable region having a different or altered antigen specificity.

A “humanized antibody” is an immunoglobulin molecule that contains minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementary determining region (CDR) of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, a humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the framework (FR) regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin (Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol 2:593-596 (1992)). Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-3′27 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534-1536 (1988)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such humanized antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species.

“Epitope” or “antigenic determinant” refers to a site on an antigen to which an antibody binds. Epitopes can be formed both from contiguous amino acids or noncontiguous amino acids juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids are typically retained on exposure to denaturing solvents whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically lost on treatment with denaturing solvents. An epitope typically includes at least 3, and more usually, at least 5 or 8-10 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. Methods of determining spatial conformation of epitopes include, for example, x-ray crystallography and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. See, e.g., Epitope Mapping Protocols in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 66, Glenn E. Morris, Ed (1996). A preferred method for epitope mapping is surface plasmon resonance, which has been used to identify preferred granulation inhibitors recognizing the same epitope region as the IIAI antibody disclosed herein.

The terms “polypeptide,” “peptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residue is an artificial chemical mimetic of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers, those containing modified residues, and non-naturally occurring amino acid polymer.

The term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that function similarly to the naturally occurring amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are later modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, γ-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine. Amino acid analogs refers to compounds that have the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, e.g., an a carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium. Such analogs may have modified R groups (e.g., norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acid mimetics refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that functions similarly to a naturally occurring amino acid.

Amino acids may be referred to herein by their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes.

“Conservatively modified variants” applies to both amino acid and nucleic acid sequences. With respect to particular nucleic acid sequences, conservatively modified variants refers to those nucleic acids which encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences, or where the nucleic acid does not encode an amino acid sequence, to essentially identical or associated, e.g., naturally contiguous, sequences. Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of functionally identical nucleic acids encode most proteins. For instance, the codons GCA, GCC, GCG and GCU all encode the amino acid alanine. Thus, at every position where an alanine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to another of the corresponding codons described without altering the encoded polypeptide. Such nucleic acid variations are “silent variations,” which are one species of conservatively modified variations. Every nucleic acid sequence herein which encodes a polypeptide also describes silent variations of the nucleic acid. One of skill will recognize that in certain contexts each codon in a nucleic acid (except AUG, which is ordinarily the only codon for methionine, and TGG, which is ordinarily the only codon for tryptophan) can be modified to yield a functionally identical molecule. Accordingly, often silent variations of a nucleic acid which encodes a polypeptide is implicit in a described sequence with respect to the expression product, but not with respect to actual probe sequences.

As to amino acid sequences, one of skill will recognize that individual substitutions, deletions or additions to a nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence which alters, adds or deletes a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids in the encoded sequence is a “conservatively modified variant” where the alteration results in the substitution of an amino acid with a chemically similar amino acid. Conservative substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the art. Such conservatively modified variants are in addition to and do not exclude polymorphic variants, interspecies homologs, and alleles of the invention. Typically conservative substitutions for one another:

I) Alanine (A), Glycine (G); 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E); 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q); 4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K); 5) Isoleucine (1), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W); 7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and 8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M) (see, e.g., Creighton, Proteins (1984)).

“Homologous,” in relation to two Of more peptides, refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that have a specified percentage of amino acid residues that are the same (i.e., about 60% identity, preferably 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or higher identity over a specified region, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window or designated region) as measured using a BLAST or BLAST 2.0 sequence comparison algorithms with default parameters described below, or by manual alignment and visual inspection (see, e.g., NCBI web site http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/ or the like). The definition also includes sequences that have deletions and/or additions, as well as those that have substitutions, as well as naturally occurring, e.g., polymorphic or allelic variants, and man-made variants. As described below, the preferred algorithms can account for gaps and the like. Preferably, identity exists over a region that is at least about 25 amino acids in length, or more preferably over a region that is 50-100 amino acids in length.

For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. Preferably, default program parameters can be used, or alternative parameters can be designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identities for the test sequences relative to the reference sequence, based on the program parameters.

A “comparison window”, as used herein, includes reference to a segment of one of the number of contiguous positions selected from the group consisting typically of from 20 to 600, usually about 50 to about 200, more usually about 100 to about 150 in which a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned. Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well-known in the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by manual alignment and visual inspection (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 1995 supplement)).

Preferred examples of algorithms that are suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity include the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402 (1977) and Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990). BLAST and BLAST 2.0 are used, with the parameters described herein, to determine percent sequence identity for the nucleic acids and proteins of the invention. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul et al., supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, e.g., for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always>0) and N (penalty score for mismatching residues; always<0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=−4 and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength of 3, and expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, Proc, Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1989)) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=−4, and a comparison of both strands.

The BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5787 (1993)). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a peptide is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test peptide to the reference peptide is less than about 0.2, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001. Log values may be large negative numbers, e.g., 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 40, 70, 90, 110, 150, 170, etc.

The term “recombinant” when used with reference, e.g., to a cell, or nucleic acid, protein, or vector, indicates that the cell, nucleic acid, protein or vector, has been modified by the introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or protein or the alteration of a native nucleic acid or protein, or that the cell is derived from a cell so modified. Thus, e.g., recombinant cells express genes that are not found within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell or express native genes that are otherwise abnormally expressed, under expressed or not expressed at all. By the term “recombinant nucleic acid” herein is meant nucleic acid, originally formed in vitro, in general, by the manipulation of nucleic acid, e.g., using polymerases and endonucleases, in a form not normally found in nature. In this manner, operably linkage of different sequences is achieved. Thus an isolated nucleic acid, in a linear form, or an expression vector formed in vitro by ligating DNA molecules that are not normally joined, are both considered recombinant for the purposes of this invention. It is understood that once a recombinant nucleic acid is made and reintroduced into a host cell or organism, it will replicate non-recombinantly, i.e., using the in vivo cellular machinery of the host cell rather than in vitro manipulations; however, such nucleic acids, once produced recombinantly, although subsequently replicated non-recombinantly, are still considered recombinant for the purposes of the invention. Similarly, a “recombinant protein” is a protein made using recombinant techniques, i.e., through the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid as depicted above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a schematic depicting the genomic structure of Wise and SOST. Both genes include a 200 bp exon 1, 2.5 Kb intron, and 400 bp exon 2. The Wise mutant was created by insertion of a neoLacZ cassette (red) into exon 1. FIG. 1B is an alignment of SOST and Wise cDNA. A leader sequence cleavage site is denoted with a red bar, and a putative N-glycosylation (N-Gly) is also shown. FIG. 1C is a schematic of human chromosomes 7 and 17 showing linkage of SOST with HOXB and Wise with HOX4 clusters. FIG. 1D shows a phylogenetic tree using known protein sequences containing cystein knots. Red dots depict significant branches within the tree. Wise and SOST exist in a branch between the CCN (NOV, CTGF, and CYR61) and DAN (Cereberus, DAN, gremlin, and caronte) families. FIG. 1E shows an alignment of known cystein knot containing proteins. Conserved cystein residues are highlighted in yellow and the consensus cystein knot sequence is CCCGC . . . CCG/PCC.

FIG. 2 demonstrates the SOST/WISE function of binding BMP and LRP to inhibit either WNT or BMP signaling, respectively. FIG. 2A graphically demonstrates that Wise does not inhibit the action of BMP4 or BMP6. These results were obtained from a BMP inhibition assay using ATDC-5 cells and exogenous Wise protein with BMP4 or BMP6 protein. FIG. 2B graphically demonstrates that SOST inhibits the action of BMP6 but not that of BMP4. These results were obtained from a BMP inhibition assay using ATDC-5 cells and exogenous SOST protein with BMP4 or BMP6 protein. Using a Xenopus 2-axis formation assay in which injection of Wnt8 (FIG. 2D) causes 2-axis formation compared to wildtype xenopus formation (FIG. 2C), an injection of SOST inhibited the 2-axis formation caused by Wnt8, but unable to completely restore a normal axis (FIG. 2E). An animal Cap assay for En2 expression demonstrated that SOST injected alone was unable to induce the BMP inhibitor NCAM; however, SOST in combination with Noggin was able to induce NCAM (FIG. 20. Further, SOST and Noggin injection also was unable to induce En2 (FIG. 2F), such as is known in the art for Wise and Wnt8 with Noggin injections. EF1 Alpha was used as a loading control for the western blot. FIG. 2G illustrates a Ventral Marginal Zone assay for early immediate WNT response genes Siamois and Xnr3. SOST alone was unable to induce Siamois and Xnr3; however, SOST was able to block the action of Wnt8 on Siamois and Xnr3. EF1Alpha was used as a loading control for the western blot. FIG. 2H illustrates an immunoprecipitation of SOST and Wise proteins. SOST-Flag or Wise-Flag (˜30 Kd) bound LRP6-IgG (160 kD) and LRP5-Myc (160 Kd), but not LRP6 G171V. FIG. 2I graphically illustrates relative LRP6 binding to different SOST variants. Variants M1, M2, M3, and M8s exhibited a decrease in binding to LRP6.

FIG. 3 demonstrates the retinal phenotype exhibited by the Wise mutant mouse model. Retinal sections from a P0 Wise mutant (FIG. 3B) and wildtype mouse (FIG. 3A) showed significant differences in the thickness of the inner neuroblastic layer (INL) (arrows). The Wise mutant INL was much thinner (FIG. 3B, arrow) compared to that of the wildtype (FIG. 3A, arrow). At 4 months the retina of the Wise mutant (FIG. 3D) displayed much undulation (asterisks) when compared to wildtype (FIG. 3C). FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram depicting normal retinal layers including: 1) the optic nerve fibers; 2) ganglion cell layer; 3) inner plexiform layer; 4) integrating bipolar cell layer; 5) outer plexiform layer; 6) cell bodies of rods and cones; and 7) rods and cones. Retinal sections of a wildtype (FIG. 3F) and Wise mutant (FIG. 3G) at 4 months of age showed significant differences in the thinness of the optic nerve fiber layer (layer 1 in both FIGS. 3F and 3G) and increase in rod and cone layer (layer 7 in both FIGS. 3F and 3G). A cross-sections through the optic nerve of a 4 month old Wildtype (FIG. 3H) compared to a cross section of a Wise mutant mouse optic nerve (FIG. 3I) showed no difference in the overall width. Immunohistological staining of a 4 month old wildtype retina (FIG. 3J) and Wise mutant mouse retina (FIG. 3K) with the neurofilament marker 2H3 revealed the Wise mutant lacks horizontal cells in the integrating bipolar cell layer (FIGS. 3K, 4) PAX6 staining only showed a difference in neuronal cell body cellular shape. Neuronal cell bodies of Wise mutants (FIG. 3M) were more rounded compared to the elongated wildtype neuronal cell bodies (FIG. 3L). Wise immunohistological staining of wildtype retina (FIG. 3N) showed the WISE protein localized to the optic nerve (FIGS. 3N, 1), the ganglion cell lay (FIGS. 3N, 2), the integrating bipolar cell layer (FIGS. 3N, 4), and to the rods and cones layer (FIGS. 3N, 7). As expected, no Wise protein was detected in the Wise mutant mouse retina (FIG. 3O).

FIG. 4 demonstrates the abnormal tooth phenotypes associated with loss of Wise or SOST protein in the maxillary region. Wise mutant mice exhibited a supernumerary tooth phenotype, while SOST mutant mice exhibited a no teeth phenotype. Histological H&E staining of E16.5dpc wildtype mouse embryos showed molar (M) and trabecular bone (TB) (FIG. 4A); odontoblasts (Od), osteoblasts (OB), inner enamel epithelium (IeE), and dental follicle (DF) (FIG. 4D); and vibrissae (Vib) and incisors (i) (FIG. 4G) for orientation purposes. Radioactive in situs on E16.5dpc mouse embryos showed that SOST expression is found in osteoblasts and polarized odontoblasts (FIGS. 4B, 4E and 4H). SOST expression is not found in vibrissae or incisors (FIG. 4H). Radioactive in situs also showed that Wise expression is found in the inner enamel epithelium, dental follicle, vibrissae and incisors of the maxillary process (FIGS. 4C, 4F, 4I). X-rays of mouse maxilla showed duplicated incisors, and fusion of upper molar fields in Wise mutant mice (FIG. 4K) compared to wildtype mice (FIG. 4J). Molar patterning of mouse maxilla demonstrated a duplicate M1 in Wise mutant C57BL6 mice (FIG. 4M) compared to wildtype mice (FIG. 4L) (similar to the null Runx2 phenotype known in the art). Mandibular patterning of 1295V/EV mice demonstrated a reversal of molar pattern, M3-M1 instead of M1-M3, and a fusion of M1-M2 in Wise mutant mice (FIG. 4O) compared to wildtype mice (FIG. 4N).

FIG. 5 demonstrates that Wise and SOST both function to regulate bone density. At E14.5dpc Wise was expressed in the Bone lining cells (BLC) and osteoblasts (OB) (FIG. 5A), while SOST was only expressed in the BLC (FIG. 5B). Wise and SOST staining resembled ALP staining (FIG. 5C) and not TRAP staining (FIG. 5D). Thus Wise and SOST were not expressed in Trap positive osteoclasts, but were expressed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) positive OB and BLC. At 4 months of age, Wise was no longer expressed (FIG. 5E), whereas SOST was found in the osteoblasts (OB) and osteocytes (Oc) (FIG. 5F). Growth plates of a 4 month old wildtype (FIG. 5H) and Wise mutant (FIG. 5G) mouse femur stained with H&E showed an increase in metaphysis bone deposition (asterisks). ALP staining in a 4 month old Wise mutant revealed an increase in positive osteoblasts (asterisks) and also hypertrophic chondrocytes (line) (FIG. 5J) compared to wildtype ALP staining (FIG. 5I). TRAP staining did not show any significant difference between wildtype (FIG. 5K) and Wise mutant (FIG. 5L) at 4 months. Two-week old femurs from a wildtype mouse exhibited Wise protein localized to the hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts as shown by immunohistochemical Wise staining (FIG. 5N) and the accompanying H&E staining (FIG. 5M). Bone mineral density measurements of the Wise mutant mouse showed that lack of Wise resulted in a significant (p<0.05)˜10% increase in bone density from birth to 3.5 months (FIG. 5O). At 4 months bone remodeling occurred and Wise mutants ceased to have an increase in BMD (FIG. 5O). Together these results demonstrated that early bone deposition by osteoblasts was modulated by Wise. Then during bone remodeling (occurs at 4 months), once the bone lining cells re-differentiate into osteoblasts, SOST modulated osteoblast bone deposition instead of Wise, as Wise is no longer expressed at this time

FIG. 6 shows skeletal stain at P0 demonstrating Fore-(FIGS. 6A and 6B) and Hind-(FIGS. 6E and 6F) limb development in the wildtype (FIGS. 6A and 6E) and Wise mutants (FIGS. 6B and 6F). Asterisks and yellow circles mark increased ossification in Wise mutants (FIGS. 6B and 6F) compared to wildtype ossification (FIGS. 6A and 6E). Alzarin red stain of vertebrae (FIGS. 6C and 6D) and femur (FIGS. 6G and 6H) showed that Wise mutants exhibited an increase in the cortical thickness of the femur (FIG. 6H), compared to wildtype femur (FIG. 6G). FIG. 6I is a schematic showing the signaling responsible for regulating the osteoblastic lineage. Briefly, Twist negatively regulates CBFA.1 (Runx2) during osteoblast differentiation, which Cbfa.1 (Runx2) directly regulates SOST, and then SOST/Wise bind to LRP5/6 to regulate the WNT signaling pathway. FIG. 6J is a schematic showing LRP5/6 4-YWTD propellers (green) and Wise/SOST binding to an area located within the first two YWTD motifs. This binding inhibits WNT signaling, whereas, DKK (red) binds to the third YWTD of LRP5/6 to inhibit WNT signaling. Wise and SOST (blue) also bind and inhibit BMPs, which signal through BMPRI and BMPRII.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Introduction

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods that promote bone deposition in vertebrates. In particular, the present invention is directed to compositions and methods that antagonize the interaction between SOST and WISE proteins with their natural receptors particularly LRP5 and LRP 6. For example, any peptide of at least 20, preferably 25, 30, 35, 40, 50 or more amino acids encoded by SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 19, 83, 84, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, 97, 99, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107 or 108, or any fragment of any sequence thereof, may be used to raise antibodies suitable for antagonizing the interaction between SOST and WISE proteins with their natural receptors. Preferably the immunogen selected is encoded by full length SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 19, 83, 84, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, 97, 99, 100, 102, 104, 106, 107 or 108, preferably full length SEQ ID NO 1 or 3.

Alternatively the proteins and peptides of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14-18, 20, 85-87, 91, 93, 95, 98, 101, 103, 105, 109-140 or 202-214 may be used to raise antagonists of the present invention. Preferable sequences in this regard are SEQ ID NO:113, 119 and most preferably 214.

A further embodiment are blocking peptides that antagonize the interaction between SOST and WISE proteins with their natural receptors. These include SEQ ID NO 21-82.

We have isolated the novel WNT inhibitor; Wise, that affects craniofacial anterior-posterior patterning, whose biochemical function we want to address. Wise is a secreted molecule with a genomic structure containing two exons (200 and 400 bp) and a large 2.5 Kb intron (FIG. 1A, 1B). The second exon encodes a cystein knot motif, which bears some homology to known DAN-, and CCN-family members (FIG. 1D, 1E). Wise is mapped to Human chromosome 7p21.1, which is linked to the HOXA cluster by 10.6 Mb (FIG. 1C). The four mammalian HOX clusters are thought to have evolved from a single cluster, as in Drosophila, we therefore searched other clusters for a possible Wise family member. We found that both HOXB and HOXC clusters had an ORF that was examined further. The HOXC cluster ORF, at 4 Mb upstream shares homology to the CCN family. The HOXB cluster contained an ORE at 5 Mb upstream. The HOXB ORF encodes a known gene, SOST (FIG. 1C). SOST was positionally cloned from a familial mutation affecting bone density. SOST and Wise both share the same gene structure, and produce a secreted protein whose second exon (70% homologous) encodes a cystein knot (FIG. 1B). Unlike the known cystein knot motifs from DAN- (Cerberus, DAN, Gremlin, Caronte) or CCN- (NOV, CTGF, Cyr61) family members, WISE and SOST cystein knots contain 8 cysteins instead of 9 (FIG. 1D). Other molecules, Mucin2 and VWF have cystein knots containing 10 cysteins, but are arranged in a manner similar to both the CCN- and DAN-family (FIGS. 1D and 1E). DAN and CCN cystein knots share about 50% homology to those of WISE and SOST (FIG. 1E). In addition to the cystein knot domain, CCN proteins also encode for Insulin binding, Von Willderbrand (BMP antagonist-like domain), and TSP1 domains. However, the DAN family appears to only encode for a cystein knot domain. Other genes that encode a cystein knot domain include Slits, VWF, Mucins, and NDP (FIGS. 1D and 1E).

DAN-Family members are able to bind to and inhibit BMP proteins, and only CERBERUS has been shown, in addition, to bind and inhibit WNT activity. The cystein knots of SOST and WISE (also termed ECTODIN and USAG-1) are very similar to that of the DAN-family, thus not surprisingly that both, SOST and WISE, also function by binding to and inhibiting BMPs; where SOST binds and inhibits BMP6 strongly and BMP7 weakly (FIG. 2B). Whereas, WISE inhibits the activity of (strongest to weakest) BMP7; BMP2; BMP4; then BMP6 (FIG. 2A). Yet, WISE appears to bind BMP2 the strongest, then BMP7.

The actions of WISE as a BMP2 inhibitor is unclear as Xenopus Noggin (BMP4 & 2 inhibitor) injected animal cap assays tell a different story. Wise is able to induce En2 at a distance in Xenopus Noggin animal cap assays, through the activation of Wnt genes (data not shown). We wanted to test if Wise injections could induce the neural gene NCAM, like the BMP inhibitor Noggin (FIG. 2F). We found that Wise, alone, was unable to activate the expression of NCAM, and thus unable to inhibit BMP4 and 2 like the known BMP inhibitor Noggin. Therefore, WISE may function in vivo preferentially by binding to and inhibiting BMP7, instead of BMP2 and 4.

We then asked if SOST and WISE could be redundant by looking to see if SOST could also induce En2, like WISE. Xenopus embryos were either injected with Noggin and/or with SOST or Wise. We found that neither Wise nor SOST could induce En2 without the addition of Noggin. However, Wise and Noggin injected animal caps induced En2 expression; however SOST and Noggin injected caps did not (FIG. 2F). This unexpected finding leads us to examine these two genes more closely. Despite their similarity to the DAN-family, the cystein knots of WISE and SOST appear to be most similar to that of the CCN-family (FIGS. 1D, 1E). CCN-family members, CYR61 and CTGF, are known inhibitors of both WNT and BMP pathways. Interestingly, DAN-family member CERBERUS appears to bind WNT proteins directly, whereas CTGF binds the WNT co-receptor LRP1 and LRP6, and it is unknown as to how Cyr61 inhibits the pathways. Itasaki et al. (2003) showed that the cystein knot of WISE functioned to inhibit the WNT pathway by binding LRP6. We were curious if SOST could function in a similar fashion. SOST RNA was either microinjected alone or in combination with other factors into Xenopus embryos and dorsal marginal zones were assayed for early immediate WNT response genes, Siamois and Xnr3 (FIG. 2G). We found that, like Wise, SOST was able to inhibit the action of WNT on Siamois and Xnr3 (FIG. 2G). This WNT inhibition by SOST was found to be working upstream from Beta-Catenin (FIG. 2G). Like Wise, SOST was also able to rescue secondary axis formation by WNT (FIGS. 2C, 2D, 2E). However, unlike Wise, SOST was unable to completely restore a normal axis (FIG. 2E). The inhibition of WNT activity by WISE is from an interaction with the first two EGF/YWTD propeller repeats found in the amino-terminal of LRP6. We tested if SOST acted in a similar fashion to inhibit the WNT pathway and found that like WISE, SOST was able to bind to LRP6, and LRP5 (FIG. 2H). Interestingly, SOST is unable to bind to the Human HBM G171V mutation (FIG. 2H). Molecular dissection of SOST revealed putative LRP binding sites located in the first arm of the cystein knot (FIG. 2I and FIG. 1B). In addition, upon destruction of the cystein knot, M8s, SOST was unable to bind to LRP6 (FIG. 2I).

In conclusion, we find that SOST binds to and inhibits the activity of BMP6 strongly, and BMP7 weakly, whereas WISE binds to and inhibits BMP7 strongly, and possibly BMP2 more weakly. In addition to BMP modulation, WISE and SOST bind LRP-5 and -6 to also modulate the WNT pathway (FIG. 2I).

The Wise mutant mice are viable and appear to develop an undulated retina (FIG. 3D) similar to that seen in patients with Norrie-Disease.¹⁵ The retina of Wise null mice have less optic nerve fibers (FIGS. 3F, 3G), however the optic nerve itself appears normal in diameter and trajectory (FIGS. 3H, 3I). Additionally, they have an increased thickness of rods and cones layer (FIGS. 3F, 3G). Neurofilament staining reveals a loss of horizontal cells within the inner nuclear bipolar cell layer (FIGS. 3J, 3K), which suggests that neighboring photoreceptors would be unable to communicate. Retinal ganglion cell marker, PAX6, stains elongated neuronal cell bodies of the inner nuclear layer (FIG. 3L). In Wise mutants, they appear rounded instead of elongated (FIG. 3M). WISE protein is found in the inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer, and in the rod and cone layer of a 2.5 month mouse retina (FIG. 3N). Unlike Wise, Sost is found in the tissues adjacent to the neuroepithelium of the diencephalon at E18dpc (data not shown).

Development of the teeth in Wise mutants also shows abnormalities; the incisors need weekly clipping from weaning onwards and the maxillary incisors are supernumerary (FIG. 4K). The molars display abnormal patterning with or without supernumerary buds (FIGS. 4M, 4O). The most severe phenotype is seen in the 1295V/EV mouse where three molars are often found in reverse orientation and fusion of M1 and M2 (FIG. 4O). A less severe phenotype is seen in the C57BL6 mouse, which displays supernumerary M1 molars (FIG. 4M). The maxillary molars in both strains develop severe fusion of all molars (FIG. 4K). The SOST mutation does not present a tooth phenotype, probably because SOST is expressed in the polarized odontoblasts (which later gives rise to the periodontal ligament) and the surrounding osteoblasts (FIGS. 4B, 4E, 4H). Wise, on the other hand, is expressed in the inner enamel epithelium and dental follicle surrounding the tooth bud, as well as in the maxillary incisors (FIGS. 4C, 4F, 4I). Thus, SOST and Wise are expressed in complementary cell types and thus result with a different tooth phenotype.

One cell type that both genes appear to affect in a similar fashion is the bone. Wise mutants have an increased alkaline phosphatase positive hypertrophic chondrocyte layer (FIGS. 5I, 5J) which results in an increase in cartilage matrix and bone deposition in the metaphysis plate (FIGS. 5G, 5H). Both SOST and Wise are expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes, osteoblasts and bone lining cells, and SOST is also expressed in osteocytes (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5E, 5F, 5N). However, SOST expression in early bone development (E14.5dpc) is restricted to the bone lining cells and not osteoblasts (FIG. 5B). This suggests that early bone deposition by osteoblasts is modulated by WISE. Then during bone remodeling (4 months), once the bone lining cells re-differentiate into osteoblasts, it is SOST that would modulate osteoblasts bone deposition instead of WISE, as Wise is no longer expressed (FIGS. 5E, 6I). In concurrence, Wise mutant mice have increased bone density during early prenatal bone development (under 4 months), and cease to have an affect once bone-modeling starts (4 months; FIGS. 5O, 6I). SOST mutations also leads to increased bone density, however this could be during later bone remodeling stages as Wise is absent and can not compensate for its loss after 4 months (FIGS. 5E, 5F, 6I). Thus, Wise functions to affect bone density before bone remodeling occurs by an increase in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts (FIGS. 5A, 5G, 5J). In addition to increased chondrocytes in the growth plate of 4 month Wise mutants, we also observed thickened and extra phalanges (astericks; yellow circle, FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6E, 6F). The vertebra and long bones revealed very slight increases in cortical thickness, mostly evident in the long bones (FIGS. 6C, 6D, 6G, 6H).

Consequently, we have found a new Wise family member, SOST. Both Wise and SOST are linked to a HOX cluster further supporting HOX cluster duplication hypotheses. SOST functions like WISE to inhibit both BMP and WNT pathways, however, unlike Wise, is unable to induce En2 expression. The inability to induce En2 is very similar to other cystein knot family members, like CTGF and NOV. The phenotypes we observe in Wise mutants are also similar to that of SOST and LRP mutations, with some exceptions, ie. teeth. Interestingly, Itasaki et al. (2003) demonstrated that Wise inhibits the WNT pathway by binding to an area encompassing the first two EGF/YWTD propeller domains of LRP6. Yet, Lrp6 null mice are lethal and do not resemble phenotypes seen in Wise mutants. The autosomal recessive disorder that causes low peak bone mass, osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG), has been shown to be due to an inactivation or deletion of LRP5, and an autosomal dominant point mutation in LRP5, G171V, results in a high bone mass disorder. Furthermore. Houston and Wylie (2002) and Gong et al. (2001) have shown that Lrp5 is expressed in osteoblasts and in the retinal cell layer. Therefore, the bone density phenotypes Wise and SOST are complementary to those in LRP5 mutants. However, the Wise tooth phenotype is not seen in LRP5 or Lrp6 mutants.

Interestingly, the Runx2 null mouse develops supernumerary tooth buds, similar to those in Wise. Runx2 has been shown to be an important ossification selector gene for deciding between the osteoblast or chondrocyte lineage. Previous studies have reported normal Runx2 expression in an Lrp5 null background. Kato et al. (2002) concluded that LRP5 must affect bone density independently of Runx2. However, Runx2 acts to regulate transcription of SOST (probably Wise too; FIG. 6K), and we now report that SOST/WISE act to regulate bone deposition through binding to LRP5/6. Therefore, only one pathway exists for osteoblast differentiation-proliferation involving Runx2 and LRP5. Runx2 acts upstream to regulate transcription of SOST/Wise, which in turn bind to LRP5/6 to regulate bone deposition (FIG. 6K). Runx2 appears to function during hypertrophic chondrocytes differentiation. Wise in turn acts to induce proliferation of the hypertrophic chondrocyte layer, which leads to an increase in cartilage matrix deposition and ultimately increased bone deposition (FIG. 6I).

II. Preparation of Peptides and Nucleic Acids

As disclosed herein, proteins, peptides and nucleic acids of the present invention may be isolated from natural sources, prepared synthetically or recombinantly, or any combination of the same. Methods for isolating peptides and nucleic acids of the present invention are well known in the art. Generally any purification protocol suitable for isolating nucleic acids or proteins can be used. For example, affinity purification as discussed below in the context of antibody isolation can be used in a more general sense to isolate any peptide or protein. Nucleic acids can be purified using agarose gel electrophoresis, as is known in the art. Column chromatography techniques, precipitation protocols and other methods for separating proteins and/or nucleic acids may also be used. (see, e.g., Scopes, Protein Purification: Principles and Practice (1982); U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,641; Ausubel et al., supra; and Sambrook et al., supra; and Leonard et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:10373-10382 (1990).

For example, peptides may be produced synthetically using solid phase techniques such as described in “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis” by G. Barany and R. B. Merrifield in Peptides, Vol. 2, edited by E. Gross and J. Meienhoffer, Academic Press, New York, N.Y., pp. 100-118 (1980). Similarly, nucleic acids can also be synthesized using the solid phase techniques, such as those described in Beaucage, S. L., & Iyer, R. P. (1992) Advances in the synthesis of oligonucleotides by the phosphoramidite approach. Tetrahedron. 48, 2223-2311; and Matthes et al., EMBO J., 3:801-805 (1984).

Modifications of peptides of the present invention with various amino acid mimetics or unnatural amino acids are particularly useful in increasing the stability of the peptide in vivo. Stability can be assayed in a number of ways. For instance, peptidases and various biological media, such as human plasma and serum, have been used to test stability. See, e.g., Verhoef et al., Eur. J. Drug Metab Pharmacokin. 11:291-302 (1986). Half life of the peptides of the present invention is conveniently determined using a 25% human serum (v/v) assay. The protocol is generally as follows. Pooled human serum (Type AB, non-heat inactivated) is delipidated by centrifugation before use. The serum is then diluted to 25% with RPMI tissue culture media and used to test peptide stability. At predetermined time intervals a small amount of reaction solution is removed and added to either 6% aqueous trichloracetic acid or ethanol. The cloudy reaction sample is cooled (4° C.) for 15 minutes and then spun to pellet the precipitated serum proteins. The presence of the peptides is then determined by reversed-phase HPLC using stability-specific chromatography conditions. Other useful peptide modifications known in the art include glycosylation and acetylation.

In the case of nucleic acids, existing sequences can be modified using recombinant DNA techniques well known in the art. For example, single base alterations can be made using site-directed mutagenesis techniques, such as those described in Adelman et al., DNA, 2:183, (1983).

Alternatively, nucleic acids can be amplified using PCR techniques or expression in suitable hosts (cf. Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 1989, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, USA). Peptides and proteins may be expressed using recombinant techniques well known in the art, e.g., by transforming suitable host cells with recombinant DNA constructs as described in Morrison, J. Bact., 132:349-351 (1977); and Clark-Curtiss & Curtiss, Methods in Enzymology, 101:347-362 (Wu et al., eds, 1983).

Peptides and nucleic acids of the present invention may also be available commercially, or may be produced commercially, given the structural and/or functional properties of the molecules desired.

The present invention also contemplates agents that antagonize binding of SOST and/or WISE to its native receptor(s) (“SOST agonist”). SOST agonosts include small organic molecules including a peptidomimetic, which is an organic molecule that mimics the structure of a peptide; or a peptoid such as a vinylogous peptoid.

Additional nonpeptide, small organic molecule SOST agonists useful in a method of the invention can be identified by screening assays as described herein.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention include SOST agonists that are preferably SOST antibodies, WISE antibodies or LRP antibodies, although the invention also contemplates inhibitory peptides and small molecular inhibitors as described above. Antibodies of the invention are preferably chimeric, more preferably humanized antibodies, ideally monoclonal antibodies preferably raised against murine proteins, most preferably murine SOST. Methods for producing such antibodies are discussed immediately below.

A. Antibody Antagonists

SOST antagonist antibodies, including anti-SOST antibodies, may be raised using as an immunogen, such as a substantially purified full length protein, such as murine SOST, but may also be a SOST, WISE or LRP protein of human, mouse or other mammalian origin. The immunogenmay be prepared from natural sources or produced recombinantly, or a peptide portion of a protein, which can include a portion of the cystiene knot domain, for example, a synthetic peptide. A non-immunogenic peptide may be made immunogenic by coupling the hapten to a carrier molecule such bovine serum albumin (BSA) or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), or by expressing the peptide portion as a fusion protein. Various other carrier molecules and methods for coupling a hapten to a carrier molecule are well known in the art and described, for example, by Harlow and Lane (supra, 1988).

Particularly useful antibodies for performing methods of the invention are monoclonal antibodies that that specifically bind to LRP molecules, WISE or, most preferably, SOST. Such antibodies are particularly useful where they bind SOST with at least an order of magnitude greater affinity than they bind another protein. Methods for creating chimeric antibodies, including humanized antibodies, is discussed in greater detail below.

1. Production of Recombinant Antibody

Methods for producing both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies from identified proteins or peptides are well known in the art. In order to prepare recombinant chimeric and humanized antibodies that may function as SOST antagonists of the present invention, the nucleic acid encoding non-human antibodies must first be isolated. This is typically done by immunizing an animal, for example a mouse, with prepared α5β1 integrin or an antigenic peptide derived therefrom. Typically mice are immunized twice intraperitoneally with approximately 50 micrograms of protein antibody per mouse. Sera from immunized mice can be tested for antibody activity by immunohistology or immunocytology on any host system expressing such polypeptide and by ELISA with the expressed polypeptide. For immunohistology, active antibodies of the present invention can be identified using a biotin-conjugated anti-mouse immunoglobulin followed by avidin-peroxidase and a chromogenic peroxidase substrate. Preparations of such reagents are commercially available; for example, from Zymad Corp., San Francisco, Calif. Mice whose sera contain detectable active antibodies according to the invention can be sacrificed three days later and their spleens removed for fusion and hybridoma production. Positive supernatants of such hybridomas can be identified using the assays common to those of skill in the art, for example, Western blot analysis.

The nucleic acids encoding the desired antibody chains can then be isolated by, for example, using hybridoma mRNA or splenic mRNA as a template for PCR amplification of the heavy and light chain genes [Huse, et al., Science 246:1276 (1989)]. Nucleic acids for producing both antibodies and intrabodies can be derived from murine monoclonal hybridomas using this technique [Richardson J. H., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:3137-3141 (1995); Biocca S., et al., Biochem and Biophys Res Comm, 197:422-427 (1993) Mhashilkar, A, M., et al., EMBO J 14:1542-1551 (1995)]. These hybridomas provide a reliable source of well-characterized reagents for the construction of antibodies and are particularly useful once their epitope reactivity and affinity has been characterized. Isolation of nucleic acids from isolated cells is discussed further in Clackson, T., et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991) (spleen) and Portolano, S., et al., supra; Barbas, C. F., et al., supra; Marks, J. D., et al., supra; Barbas, C. F., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:7978-7982 (1991) (human peripheral blood lymphocytes). Humanized antibodies optimally include at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin [Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol., 2:593-596 (1992)].

A number of methods have been described to produce recombinant antibodies, both chimeric and humanized. Controlled rearrangement of antibody domains joined through protein disulfide bonds to form chimeric antibodies may be utilized (Konieczny et al., Haematologia, 14(1):95-99, 1981). Recombinant DNA technology can also be used to construct gene fusions between DNA sequences encoding mouse antibody variable light and heavy chain domains and human antibody light and heavy chain constant domains (Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81(21):6851-6855, 1984.).

DNA sequences encoding the antigen binding portions or complementarity determining regions (CDR's) of murine monoclonal antibodies may be grafted by molecular means into the DNA sequences encoding the frameworks of human antibody heavy and light chains (Jones et al., Nature, 321(6069):522-525, 1986.; Riechmann et al., Nature, 332(6162):323-327, 1988.). The expressed recombinant products are called “reshaped” or humanized antibodies, and comprise the framework of a human antibody light or heavy chain and the antigen recognition portions, CDR's, of a murine monoclonal antibody.

Other methods for producing humanized antibodies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,693,762; 5,693,761; 5,585,089; 5,639,641; 5,565,332; 5,733,743; 5,750,078; 5,502,167; 5,705,154; 5,770,403; 5,698,417; 5,693,493; 5,558,864; 4,935,496; 4,816,567; and 5,530,101, each incorporated herein by reference.

Techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce single chain humanized antibodies to α5β1 integrin.

2. Isolation of Antibodies

Affinity Purification

Affinity purification of an antibody pool or sera provides a practitioner with a more uniform reagent. Methods for enriching antibody granulation inhibitors using antibody affinity matrices to form an affinity column are well known in the art and available commercially (AntibodyShop, c/o Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, Bldg. P2, DK-2300 Copenhagen 5). Briefly, an antibody affinity matrix is attached to an affinity support (see e.g.; CNBR Sepharose (R), Pharmacia Biotech). A mixture comprising antibodies is then passed over the affinity matrix, to which the antibodies bind. Bound antibodies are released by techniques common to those familiar with the art, yielding a concentrated antibody pool. The enriched antibody pool can then be used for further immunological studies, some of which are described herein by way of example.

B. Small Molecule Inhibitors

A combinatorial chemical library is a collection of diverse chemical compounds generated by either chemical synthesis or biological synthesis, by combining a number of chemical “building blocks” such as reagents. For example, a linear combinatorial chemical library such as a polypeptide library is formed by combining a set of chemical building blocks (amino acids) in every possible way for a given compound length (i.e., the number of amino acids in a polypeptide compound). Millions of chemical compounds can be synthesized through such combinatorial mixing of chemical building blocks.

Preparation and screening of combinatorial chemical libraries is well known to those of skill in the art. Such combinatorial chemical libraries include, but are not limited to, peptide libraries (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,175, Furka, Int. J. Pept. Prot. Res. 37:487-493 (1991) and Houghton et al., Nature 354:84-88 (1991)). Other chemistries for generating chemical diversity libraries can also be used. Such chemistries include, but are not limited to: peptides (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 91/19735), encoded peptides (e.g., PCT Publication WO 93/20242), random bio-oligomers (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 92/00091), benzodiazepines (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,514), diversomers such as hydantoins, benzodiazepines and dipeptides (Hobbs et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6909-6913 (1993)), vinylogous polypeptides (Hagihara et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 114:6568 (1992)), nonpeptidal peptidomimetics with glucose scaffolding (Hirschmann et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 114:9217-9218 (1992)), analogous organic syntheses of small compound libraries (Chen et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 116:2661 (1994)), oligocarbamates (Cho et al., Science 261:1303 (1993)), and/or peptidyl phosphonates (Campbell et al., J. Org. Chem. 59:658 (1994)), nucleic acid libraries (see Ausubel, Berger and Sambrook, all supra), peptide nucleic acid libraries (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,083), antibody libraries (see, e.g., Vaughn et al., Nature Biotechnology, 14(3):309-314 (1996) and PCT/US96/10287), carbohydrate libraries (see, e.g., Liang et al., Science, 274:1520-1522 (1996) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,853), small organic molecule libraries (see, e.g., benzodiazepines, Baum C&EN, Jan 18, page 33 (1993); isoprenoids, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,588; thiazolidinones and metathiazanones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,974; pyrrolidines, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,735 and 5,519,134; morpholino compounds, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,337; benzodiazepines, 5,288,514, and the like).

Another approach uses recombinant bacteriophage to produce large libraries. Using the “phage method” (Scott and Smith, Science 249:386-390, 1990; Cwirla, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 87:6378-6382, 1990; Devlin et al., Science, 49:404-406, 1990), very large libraries can be constructed (10⁶-10⁸ chemical entities). A second approach uses primarily chemical methods, of which the Geysen method (Geysen et al., Molecular Immunology 23:709-715, 1986; Geysen et al. J. Immunologic Method 102:259-274, 1987; and the method of Fodor et al. (Science 251:767-773, 1991) are examples. Furka et al. (14th International Congress of Biochemistry, Volume #5, Abstract FR:013, 1988; Furka, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 37:487-493, 1991), Houghton (U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,211, issued December 1986) and Rutter et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,175, issued Apr. 23, 1991) describe methods to produce a mixture of peptides that can be tested as agonists or antagonists.

Devices for the preparation of combinatorial libraries are commercially available (see, e.g., 357 MPS, 390 MPS, Advanced Chem Tech, Louisville Ky., Symphony, Rainin, Woburn, Mass., 433A Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., 9050 Plus, Millipore, Bedford, Mass.). In addition, numerous combinatorial libraries are themselves commercially available (see, e.g., ComGenex, Princeton, N.J., Tripos, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., 3D Pharmaceuticals, Exton, Pa., Martek Biosciences, Columbia, Md., etc.).

III. Methods for Identifying Sost Antagonists

The present invention provides methods for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic SOST antagonists. Several exemplary methods for identifying such antagonists are described herein, including cell-based and in vitro techniques. A general method of identifying SOST antagonists involves evaluating the effects of antagonist candidates on bone deposition under controlled conditions. Preferably bone deposition is determined using x-ray techniques on live animals. Preferred animals include rodents, more preferred are primates. Hand or paw bones are particularly useful subjects for such study.

Briefly, the test animal is treated with a predetermined dose of a SOST antagonist candidate. A control animal is treated with a control solution, preferably a non-irritating buffer solution or other carrier.

When the SOST antagonist candidate is delivered in a carrier, the control solution is ideally the carrier absent the SOST antagonist candidate. Multiple doses of the SOST antagonist candidate may be applied to the test animal, preferably following a predetermined schedule of dosing. The dosing schedule may be over a period of days, more preferably over a period of weeks.

Once the dosing schedule has been completed, both test and control animals are examined to determine the level of bone deposition present. This may be accomplished by any suitable method, but is preferably performed on live animals using x-ray equipment. Methods for x-ray examination of bones in animals are well known in the art. A SOST antagonist candidate suitable for use as a SOST antagonist is identified by noting significant bone deposition in the test animal when compared to the control animal. Ideally bone deposition in the test bone(s) of the test animal should be at least 10%, more preferably 20%, most preferably 30% or 40% or more pone deposition than is present in the same bones of the control animal. Where necessary, levels of bone deposition may be calculated by determining the volume of bone deposition present in each animal. Calculations may be performed by constructing a 3-dimensional image of the bone deposition and calculating the volume from the image with the aid of e.g., computed axial tomography.

In an exemplary embodiment, intravenous injection of a SOST antagonist candidate, for example a monoclonal antibody described herein, may be made into a test animal, with a control animal receiving an equal volume of control solution without the SOST antagonist candidate. Identical dosing should be done on a weekly basis for four weeks. Suitable dosage will depend on the nature of the particular SOST antagonist candidate being tested. By way of example, in dosing it should be noted that systemic injection, either intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, may also be used. For systemic injection of a SOST antagonist candidate or a SOST antagonist, dosage should be about 5 mg/kg, preferably more preferably about 15 mg/kg, advantageously about 50 mg/kg, more advantageously about 100 mg/kg, acceptably about 200 mg/kg. dosing performed by nebulized inhalation, eye drops, or oral ingestion should be at an amount sufficient to produce blood levels of the SOST antagonist candidate similar to those reached using systemic injection. The amount of SOST antagonist candidate that must be delivered by nebulized inhalation, eye drops, or oral ingestion to attain these levels is dependent upon the nature of the inhibitor used and can be determined by routine experimentation. It is expected that, for systemic injection of the monoclonal antibody SOST antagonist candidates described herein, therapeutic levels of the antibody may be detected in the blood one week after delivery of a 15 mg/kg dose.

High Throughput Techniques

While the methods noted above can be used to identify any type of SOST antagonist, they are best suited for screening SOST antagonist candidates that are suspected as being SOST antagonists, usually through some relationship to known SOST antagonists (e.g., by belonging to the same chemical family or sharing some other structural or functional feature with a known SOST antagonist.) Moreover, novel SOST antagonists may be identified using a process known as computer, or molecular modeling, as discussed below.

Computer Modeling

Computer modeling technology allows visualization of the three-dimensional atomic structure of a selected molecule and the rational design of new compounds that will interact with the molecule. The three-dimensional construct typically depends on data from x-ray crystallographic analyses or NMR imaging of the selected molecule. The molecular dynamics require force field data. The computer graphics systems enable prediction of how a new compound will link to the target molecule and allow experimental manipulation of the structures of the compound and target molecule to perfect binding specificity. Prediction of what the molecule-compound interaction will be when small changes are made in one or both requires molecular mechanics software and computationally intensive computers, usually coupled with user-friendly, menu-driven interfaces between the molecular design program and the user.

An example of the molecular modelling system described generally above consists of the CHARMm and QUANTA programs, Polygen Corporation, Waltham, Mass. CHARMm performs the energy minimization and molecular dynamics functions. QUANTA performs the construction, graphic modelling and analysis of molecular structure. QUANTA allows interactive construction, modification, visualization, and analysis of the behavior of molecules with each other.

A number of articles review computer modeling of drugs interactive with specific proteins, such as Rotivinen, et. al., Acta Pharmaceutica Fennica 97, 159-166 (1988); Ripka, New Scientist 54-57 (Jun. 16, 1988); McKinaly and Rossmann, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxiciol. 29, 111-122 (1989); Perry and Davies, OSAR: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design pp. 189-193 (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1989); Lewis and Dean, Proc. R. Soc. Land. 236, 125-140 and 141-162 (1989); and, with respect to a model receptor for nucleic acid components, Askew, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 1082-1090 (1989). Askew et al. constructed a new molecular shape which permitted both hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking forces to act simultaneously. Askew et al. used Kemp's triacid (Kemp et al., J. Org. Chem. 46:5140-5143 (1981)) in which a U-shaped (diaxial) relationship exists between any two carboxyl functions. Conversion of the triacid to the imide acid chloride gave an acylating agent that could be attached via amide or ester linkages to practically any available aromatic surface. The resulting structure featured an aromatic plane that could be roughly parallel to that of the atoms in the imide function; hydrogen bonding and stacking forces converged from perpendicular directions to provide a microenvironment complimentary to adenine derivatives.

Other computer programs that screen and graphically depict chemicals are available from companies such as BioDesign, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., Allelix, Inc, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Hypercube, Inc., Cambridge, Ontario. Although these are primarily designed for application to drugs specific to particular proteins, they can be adapted to design of drugs specific to regions of RNA, once that region is identified.

Screening Compound Libraries

Whether identified from existing SOST antagonists or from molecular modelling techniques, SOST antagonists generally must be modified further to enhance their therapeutic usefulness. This is typically done by creating large libraries of compounds related to the SOST antagonist, or compounds synthesized randomly, based around a core structure. In order to efficiently screen large and/or diverse libraries of SOST antagonist candidates, a high throughput screening method is necessary to at least decrease the number of candidate compounds to be screened using the assays described above. High throughput screening methods involve providing a combinatorial chemical or peptide library containing a large number of potential therapeutic compounds (potential modulator or ligand compounds). Such “combinatorial chemical libraries” or “candidate libraries” are then screened in one or more assays, as described below, to identify those library members (particular chemical species or subclasses) that are able to promote bone deposition. The compounds thus identified can serve as conventional “lead compounds” or can themselves be used as potential or actual therapeutics.

Candidate compounds of the library can be any small chemical compound, or a biological entity, such as a protein, sugar, nucleic acid or lipid, as described previously. Typically, test compounds will be small chemical molecules and peptides. The assays discussed below are designed to screen large chemical libraries by automating the assay steps and providing compounds from any convenient source to assays, which are typically run in parallel (e.g., in microtiter formats on microtiter plates or similar formats, as depicted in FIG. 5, in robotic assays). It will be appreciated that there are many suppliers of chemical compounds, including Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.), Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.), Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.), Fluka Chemika-Biochemica Analytika (Buchs Switzerland) and the like.

Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for high throughput screening of granulation inhibitor candidates. The initial steps of these methods allow for the efficient and rapid identification of combinatorial library members that have a high probability of being SOST antagonists. These initial steps take advantage of the observation that SOST antagonists are also LRP or SOST binding agents. Any method that determines the ability of a member of the library, termed a binding candidate, to specifically bind to SOST, WISE or an LRP protein is suitable for this initial high throughput screening. For example, competitive and non-competitive ELISA-type assays known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be utilized.

Binding candidates that are found to bind SOST, WISE or an LRP protein with acceptable specificity, e.g., with a K_(a) for SOST, WISE or an LRP protein of at least about 10⁵ mol⁻¹, 10⁶ mol⁻¹ or greater, preferably 10⁷ mol⁻¹ or greater, more preferably 10⁸ mol⁻¹ or greater, and most preferably 10⁹ mol⁻¹ or greater, are SOST antagonist candidates and are screened further, as described above, to determine their ability to promote bone deposition.

A number of well-known robotic systems have been developed for solution phase chemistries. These systems include automated workstations like the automated synthesis apparatus developed by Takeda Chemical Industries, LTD. (Osaka, Japan) and many robotic systems utilizing robotic arms (Zymate II, Zymark Corporation, Hopkinton, Mass.; Orca, HewlettPackard, Palo Alto, Calif.), which mimic the manual synthetic operations performed by a chemist. Any of the above devices are suitable for use with the present invention. The nature and implementation of modifications to these devices (if any) so that they can operate as discussed herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art. In addition, numerous combinatorial libraries are themselves commercially available (see, e.g., ComGenex, Princeton, N.J., Asinex, Moscow, Ru, Tripos, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., ChemStar, Ltd, Moscow, RU, 3D Pharmaceuticals, Exton, Pa., Martek Biosciences, Columbia, Md., etc.).

IV. Therapeutic Uses

Individuals to be treated using methods of the present invention may be any individual suffering from bone loss, such as a sufferer of osteoporosis or simply an individual recovering from a broken limb. Such an individual is a vertebrate such as a mammal, including a dog, cat, horse, cow, or goat; a bird; or any other animal, particularly a commercially important animal or a domesticated animal, more particularly a human being.

Methods of the present invention are suitable for use on any individual suffering bone loss as a result of injury or disease. Some embodiments of the methods described herein are particularly suited for treatment of osteoporosis.

In therapeutic use SOST antagonists generally will be in the form of a pharmaceutical composition containing the antagonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art and include aqueous solutions such as physiologically buffered saline or other buffers or solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil or injectable organic esters. The selection of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will depend, in part, on the chemical nature of the SOST antagonist, for example, whether the SOST antagonist is an antibody, a peptide or a nonpeptide, small organic molecule.

A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may include physiologically acceptable compounds that act, for example, to stabilize the SOST antagonist or increase its absorption, or other excipients as desired. Physiologically acceptable compounds include, for example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or excipients. One skilled in the art would know that the choice of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, including a physiologically acceptable compound, depends, for example, on the route of administration of the SOST antagonist and on its particular physio-chemical characteristics.

The methods of the present invention include application of SOST antagonists in cocktails including other medicaments, for example, antibiotics, fungicides, and anti-inflammatory agents. Alternatively, the methods may comprise sequential dosing of an afflicted individual with a SOST antagonist and one or more additional medicaments to optimize a treatment regime. In such optimized regimes, the medicaments, including the granulation inhibitor may be applied in any sequence and in any combination.

Bone loss resulting from injury or disease can occur locally, for example, in the case of a broken bone, or may be more systemic, for example in a person suffering from osteoporosis. Depending on the bone, nature of the disease or injury, one skilled in the art would select a particular route and method of administration of the SOST antagonist.

The SOST antagonists of the present invention may also be included in slow release formulations for prolonged treatment following a single dose. In one embodiment, the formulation is prepared in the form of microspheres. The microspheres may be prepared as a homogenous matrix of a SOST antagonist with a biodegradable controlled release material, with optional additional medicaments as the treatment requires. The microspheres are preferably prepared in sizes suitable for infiltration and/or injection, and injected systemically, or directly at the site of treatment.

The formulations of the invention are also suitable for administration in all body spaces/cavities, including but not limited to pleura, peritoneum, cranium, mediastinum, pericardium, bursae or bursal, epidural, intrathecal, intraocular, etc.

Some slow release embodiments include polymeric substances that are biodegradable and/or dissolve slowly. Such polymeric substances include polyvinylpyrrolidone, low- and medium-molecular-weight hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl starch, potassium methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, starches, starch derivatives, microcrystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, and cellulose derivatives, β-cyclodextrin, poly(methyl vinyl ethers/maleic anhydride), glucans, scierozlucans, mannans, xanthans. alzinic acid and derivatives thereof, dextrin derivatives, glyceryl monostearate, semisynthetic glycerides, glyceryl palmitostearate, glyceryl behenate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatine, agnesium stearate, stearic acid, sodium stearate, talc, sodium benzoate, boric acid, and colloidal silica.

Slow release agents of the invention may also include adjuvants such as starch, pregelled starch, calcium phosphate mannitol, lactose, saccharose, glucose, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone. methylcellulose, starch solution, ethylcellulose, arabic gum, tragacanth gum, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, colloidal silica, glyceryl monostearate, hydrogenated castor oil, waxes, and mono-, bi-, and trisubstituted glycerides. Slow release agents may also be prepared as generally described in WO 94/06416.

The amount of SOST antagonist administered to an individual will depend, in part, on the disease and extent of injury. Methods for determining an effective amount of an agent to administer for a diagnostic or a therapeutic procedure are well known in the art and include phase I, phase II and phase III clinical trials. Generally, an agent antagonist is administered in a dose of about 0.01 to 200 mg/kg body weight when administered systemically, and at a concentration of approximately 1 μM, when administered directly to a wound site. The total amount of SOST antagonist can be administered to a subject as a single dose, either as a bolus or by infusion over a relatively short period of time, or can be administered using a fractionated treatment protocol, in which the multiple doses are administered over a more prolonged period of time. One skilled in the art would know that the concentration of a particular SOST antagonist required to provide an effective amount to a region or regions of injury depends on many factors including the age and general health of the subject as well as the route of administration, the number of treatments to be administered, and the nature of the SOST antagonist, including whether the SOST antagonist is an antibody, a peptide, or a non-peptide small organic molecule. In view of these factors, the skilled artisan would adjust the particular dose so as to obtain an effective amount for efficaciously promoting bone deposition for therapeutic purposes.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for clarity and understanding, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

As can be appreciated from the disclosure provided above, the present invention has a wide variety of applications. Accordingly, the following examples are offered for illustration purposes and are not intended to be construed as a limitation on the invention in any way. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters that could be changed or modified to yield essentially similar results.

EXAMPLES Methods

Isolation of SOST cDNA. SOST was isolated from a mouse Day 11 cDNA library using touchdown PCR (1 cycle, denature 92° C. 2′; 5 cycles, 92° C. 1′, anneal 68° C. 1′, extend 72° C. 2′; 30 cycles, 92° C. 1′, anneal 64° C. 1′, extend 72° C. 2′; 1 cycle, extension 72° C. 10′). Forward primer, CGTGCCTCATCTGCCTACTTGTGCA; Reverse primer, GAAGTCCTTGAGCTCCGACTGGTTGTG. 1 ul of DMSO was added to the reactions. The full length mouse SOST cDNA was created using successive PCR reactions based on GI: 13161022.

Wise Mutant Mouse (129SV/EV & C57BL6). A neoLacZ cassette containing stop codons at the 3′ end was inserted into a Wise gDNA sequence isolated BAC from a 129SVEV mouse. The cassette was inserted into the first exon of Wise using SmaI and EcoRI sites. The modified BAC was then used for homologous recombination after electroporation into 129SVEV mouse ES cells. Specific integrants were selected from southern analysis using a 3′ probe within exon 2 of Wise. EcoRI digests yielded either a 6.8 Kb fragment associated with homologous recombination, or a 9 Kb fragment associated with a random integration event.

Bioinformatics. Phylogenetic Tree: SOST and WISE cystein knot protein sequences were Blasted (NCBI) and all significant sequences were isolated. The cystein knots from all sequences were manually aligned using the software T-Coffee and then analyzed with Phylip bootstrap neighbor joining methods. Chromosomal location: Wise and SOST DNA sequences where Blasted against the mouse (Mus musculus) Ensembl database (http://www.ensembl.org/Mus _(—) musculus/blastview).

Xenopus Assays. Capped RNA synthesis-5 ug linear DNA template (SOST, Noggin, Beta-Catenin, Wnt8, Wise) was added to the following; 5× transcription buffer (P118B promega), 0.1M DTT, 0.1M ATP, 0.1M CTP, 0.1M UTP, 0.1M GTP, 5 mM CAP (NEN 514045), Rnasin, and polymerase of choice. RNA used in Cap assays: 250 pg Noggin; SOST 300 pg, 600 pg, 900 pg; 5 pg Wnt8.¹ RNA for Ventral marginal zones: SOST 300 pg, Wnt8 100 pg, beta-Catenin 200 pg.

BMP Assay. ATDC-5 at low passage were consistently grown at subconfluency in DMEM/F12 media supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal calf serum, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 mg/ml streptomycin. In 96 well plates (Corning) inhibitors were diluted. A constant amount of BMP (R and D Systems) was added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. ATDC-5 cells were counted and plated at 2×10⁵ cells/ml. Heparin was added to the plate containing BMP4 at a final concentration of 2 μg/ml. L-Ascorbic Acid was added to the plate containing BMP6 at a final concentration of 50 μg/ml. Cells were then incubated for 3 days at 37° C. Cell layers were washed twice with PBS and lysed in 0.15 M NaCl, 3 mM NaHCO₃, and 0.1% Triton X-100 at pH 9.3. Cell layers were incubated at 37° C. for 30 mins. 20 p. 1 of each sample was incubated with 1 mg/ml of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Sigma) in 1 M diethanolamine (Sigma) with 0.5 mM MgCl₂ at a pH of 9.8 and then incubated at 22° C. for 8 mins. Reaction was stopped by the addition of 0.5 N NaOH. Optical density was measured at 405 nm.

Immunoprecipitation. A 10 mm dish of 293 cells was transfected with 10 ug of LRP5, LRP6, SOST or Wise, using Fugene 6 (Roche). pCS2+LRP5 contains the extracellular portion of the human sequence between EcoRI-XbaI. pCS2+SOST contain the whole reading frame and has been modified at the 3′ end to have a kozak sequence and Flag tag. Wise-Flag, and LRP6-IgG-FC are described in Itasaki et al. (2003). pCS2+ with an IgG-FC insert is the vector control. The supernatants were collected on day1, day 2, and day3. The supernatant was concentrated through an appropriate molecular weight Amicon ultra (Millipore) spin column. A protein concentration was taken on the concentrated supernatants, and 50 ug of each sample was used in each IP. Anti-Flag M2 affinity gel (Sigma) was used for the Wise and SOST IPs.

Tooth Radioactive In Situs. C57B6 J mice (Jackson Laboratories) were mated. The day of identification of a vaginal plug was considered E0.5, and the day of birth P0. Embryos were harvested at day 16.5, embedded in OCT (VWR), and quick frozen in isopentane on dry ice. 14 um cryostat sections were collected on Probe-On Plus slides and stored at −80° C. with dessicant prior to hybridization. Sections were equilibrated to room temperature, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS for 20 min, rinsed twice in PBS with 0.1M glycine, once in PBS alone, acetylated in 0.1M triethanolamine (pH 8.0) and 0.25% acetic anhydride for 10 min, rinsed twice more in PBS, and then dehydrated. Hybridization was carried out using ³⁵S-labeled antisense probes. Hybridization and post hybridization protocol as described by Gall et al. (1995).²³ Slides were dipped in Kodak NTB-2 liquid emulsion diluted 1:1 with distilled water, and exposed for 21-28 days at −80° C. Developed sections were then H and E stained.

X-rays & Teeth Dissections. The mice were dissected and the jaws were placed in a proteinase K solution (2×SSC, 0.2% SDS, 10 mM EDTA, and 100 ul of 10 mg/ml proteinase K) overnight at 55° C. The next day the jaws are air-dried and a digital Faxitron was used for capturing X-ray images of the mouse maxilla. The teeth were removed using tweezers.

Bone & Retinal Immunochemistry. Chick HH45 femurs were harvested and fixed in 3.5% PFA. The tissue was then processed for cryosectioning. Mouse retinas were harvested from P0 and P2.5 month. The retinas were fixed in formalin and processed for paraffin sectioning. Immunochemistry was preformed using PBS (with or without Triton) and 10% GS. The primary antibodies used were a custom made peptide antibody against chick WISE (1:100), chick PAX6 (1:10) and mouse 2H3 (1:10) from Hybridoma Bank.

Bone Density. Bone densitometry was measured using a PIXImus mouse densitometer (GE medical syetms). Bone minieral and body composition are measured using Dual Xray absorptiometry (DEXA).

TRAP and ALP. Staining was preformed on crysectioned mouse femurs. TRAP (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase) staining was done as per manufactured protocol for Sigma acid phosphatase kit (181A). Alkaline phospatase (ALP) staining was carried out for 15 minutes at RT in 100 mM Tris-maleate (pH 9.2), Naphthol As-MX phosphate and Fast red TR.

BONE ISH. Sum cryosections of mouse femurs were dried for 2 hours to overnight at room temperature. Rinse slides in 30° C. water to melt gelatin. Rinse in PBS, 2×SSC. Hybrize using 1 ug/ml dig-labelled probe in a humidified chamber containing DEPC water. Coverslip slides and incubate overnight at 65° C. Posthyb wash for 2× 10 minutes in 50% formamide, 1×SSC, 0.1% tween 20. Wash 2×MABT 10 minutes, incubate 30 minutes with blocking buffer (20% goat serum, 20% BBR, 60% MABT). Add anti-dig AP 1:2000 and incubate overnight at room temp. Wash MABT 5 minutes, NTMT 10 minutes, then reveal in NTMT with NBT/BCIP. Stop reaction with PBST.

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1-14. (canceled)
 15. An isolated monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO:
 69. 16. (canceled)
 17. The antibody of claim 15 wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 18. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 15, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 18. 19. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 18, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 20. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 15, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 69. 21. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 20, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 22. An isolated monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a Sost peptide comprising the amino acids depicted in SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO:
 69. 23. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 22, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 24. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 22, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 18. 25. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 24, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 26. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 22, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 69. 27. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 26, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 28. An isolated monoclonal antibody that binds to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO: 69, wherein the isolated monoclonal antibody binds to the amino acid sequence with a specific binding activity (K_(a)) of at least about 10⁷ mol⁻¹ or greater.
 29. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 28, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 30. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 28, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 18. 31. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 30, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
 32. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 28, wherein the amino acid sequence is depicted in SEQ ID NO:
 69. 33. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 32, wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody. 